Utah
From its expanses of iconic desert playgrounds to its towering Wasatch Range, Utah is home to every type of outdoor adventure you can imagine. Locals and visitors alike are spoiled with convenient access to world-class winter and summer time activities and lodging.
Top Spots in and near Utah
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Torrey, Utah
Golden Throne
3.59 mi / 1529 ft gainCapitol Reef National Park is filled with excellent hikes, and the hike to the Golden Throne should not be left out of the conversation. This hike is 2WD accessible, has moderate distance, and decent elevation gain, making it a great hike and exercise for everyone. The trail begins from the Cap...Read more -
Salt Lake City, Utah
Backcountry Ski Days Fork
3.2 miDays Fork is on the south side of Big Cottonwood Canyon behind the Spruces parking lot. The trail head begins on the south west corner of the parking lot. The approach to Days Fork is long, but gradual. Continue south along the skin track until you reach the end of the Days Fork Basin. Here you c...Read more -
Wayne County, Utah
Drive the Cathedral Valley Loop
60 miThese set of roads are classified as 4x4 high clearance vehical roads. Not to mention this part of the park is remote and only about 10% of visitors access it. To get to Cathedral Valley, we were recommended to drive a “loop” by the park ranger, that entailed about 60 miles of high clearance dirt...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Pine Tree Arch
3.01.03 mi / 56 ft gainPine Tree Arch is one of several gorgeous arches in the Devil's Garden Area of Arches National Park, and is easily done as a quick detour on the way to the popular Landscape Arch. It is accessed from the Devil's Garden Trailhead, itself approximately 18 miles from the park entrance. From the Tra...Read more -
Sevier, Utah
Cave of 100 Hands Trail
0.5 mi / 50 ft gainThe Cave of 100 Hands is a fascinating archeological/historical site that is easy all-ages and strollers. Over a thousand years ago, the valleys along what is now Interstate 70 near Sevier, Utah were home to the largest community of Fremont Indians ever discovered, and the Cave of 100 Hands has s...Read more -
Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah
Goulding Arch
0.55 mi / 128 ft gain...Who doesn't enjoy short hikes to beautiful landscapes?! I know I do when I'm pressed for time! This 0.6 out and back hike will lead you to an arch that doesn't get as much recognition due to it being directly across the street from Monument Valley Road taking you into the park. The hike start...Read more -
Park City, Utah
Hike Empire Pass Ridge
5.03.25 mi / 800 ft gainStarting at an elevation of 8,960 feet at Empire Pass, the trail follows the ridge to the west. It starts off on a gravel road, but quickly turns into a single-track trail once you pass the buried water tank. For the most part, you will stay on the ridge and have great views of Clayton Peak, Deer...Read more -
Duck Creek Village, Utah
Hike the Cascades Trail in Dixie National Forest
1.2 mi / 137 ft gainHiked the cascades trail from the parking lot through a forest of spruce trees and many interesting wildflowers. The trail has good views of the National Forest and Zion National Park in the distance. The trail has some elevation gain but not too bad. The waterfall is rather small but a refreshi...Read more -
Evanston, Utah
Backpack to Red Caslte Lake and Mt. Wilson
27 mi / 4200 ft gainUtah's 13ers are generally overshadowed by their 14er neighbors to the east, but do not be fooled, Utah's 13ers require a tremendous amount of effort to summit. The closest 13er to a road, Tokewanna, is about 18 miles round trip. The farthest 13er peaks are more than 30 miles round trip. These pe...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Rappel the Granstaff Canyon
4.04.5 mi / -500 ft gainThe Granstaff Canyon is a beautiful, red rock canyon just outside of Moab, nestled up against the Colorado River. For those with canyoneering or climbing experience, this canyon is simple enough to run. After an initial one hour (ish) hike in from the parking spot, the rappels are close together ...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Climb Mount Peale
5.05 mi / 2721 ft gainFrom the parking area at La Sal Creek, just east of Medicine Lake examine the mountain and identify the prominent gully which feeds into La Sal Creek. Follow the old road bed north until its end and then travel cross country. Ascend the gully the the summit ridge between the northwest peak and th...Read more -
St. George, Utah
Run the Santa Clara River Trail to Tonaquint Park and Cottonwood Cove Park
6 mi / 10 ft gainThis is a relatively flat and fast city trail with negligible elevation gain or loss over the 6 mile round trip. Beginning at the Crosby Family Confluence Park located just off I-15 near the St. George convention center, immediately pass under the freeway and begin your run up the Santa Clara Tra...Read more -
San Juan County, Utah
Backpack Grand Gulch
10 mi / 600 ft gainBears Ears National Monument is a truly special place. We voyaged willingly on a journey of discovery into the roots of who we are as human beings, and we were not disappointed: the ruins accessible in the canyons brought tears to our eyes. While Bears Ears used to receive just 9,000 visitors ann...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Hike Hunters Canyon
5.03 mi / 164 ft gainThe hike into Hunters Canyon is extremely easy going. You can do the hike year round, but the further into summer you are, the hotter the canyon will be. This is a great beginner hike as it has very little elevation gain. It's also perfect for dogs, thanks to the stream that allows for frequent ...Read more -
Wayne County, Utah
Hike Lower Cathedral Valley Overlook
2 mi / 150 ft gainNow most of the pictures you see from Capitol Reef are from cathedral valley. But not many take the time to get above the most photographed area of the park. Off of Hartnet Road, at mile 17.6 you will find a small dirt parking lot for the trailhead (were talking middle of nowhere, so no pit toile...Read more -
Moab, Utah
Drive Chicken Corners
5.0From Moab, take Kane Creek Blvd out of town towards the beginning of the trailhead at the Kane Creek Recreation Parking Lot. From there, the trail is pretty much the only route available. The drive follows along a very smooth dirt road for the first six miles. Here, take a right to follow towards...Read more